3.19.20

I’m currently listening to Jack upstairs on Xbox talking to his friend from England. It seems like a regular night, except he would never be allowed to play Xbox on a school night. Tonight isn’t a typical school night. So much has changed since my last post it’s hard to wrap my head around it.

The only thing I see or hear about all day long (unless I stop listening) is the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). In January we hadn’t even heard of the virus and were celebrating Jack’s 15th birthday. In February we were still praying for Australia to stop burning. In mid-Feb, at least here in CT, we really started to hear the news of the virus spreading. But still, it was “so far away.” Is t it always? Until it’s right in your back yard.

I flew out to California just in the nick of time and made it back by March 2nd just before the shit really started to hit the fan.

Now, just two weeks later, we are working 100% remotely, schools are closed, and you fear going to the grocery store for milk. We’ve all stocked up on food and supplies. We are being very selective about who we will see in person, even avoiding our own family members. The infected numbers are rising and people are beginning to die very close to home.

Jack and I have hunkered down in a sort of uneasy truce. I’m all “we are going to keep a similar routine during the week” and he’s all “I don’t have any school work whatsoever to do!” Which has been true up til now. Enrichment … that was all we could do for studies… and let me tell you, that will only go so far. This boy needs structure and will thrive on it. I’m very glad our town finally handed out the distance learning protocol, at least from a few of Jack’s classes. He was hard at work at 8am. (Luckily we didn’t have to get up at the god-awful hour of 5:55) This is much more humane!

And, since I don’t have to drive to work, and then home again for lunch, I’m saving an hour and a half of driving each day. Woohoo!

Jack: Can I go play Xbox now?

me: It’s 10am Jack, Sheesh!

Jack: But I did all my work.

me: We have to keep a regular schedule so go read something.

Jack: I don’t have anything left to do!

me: On school days you—

Jack: It’s not a school day because we don’t have school!

me: I have some chores for you then.

Jack: On school days I don’t have chores! Ha!

Repeat this in various ways about 15 times and you’ll almost be where I am mentally right now. 😱

Jack spent some time with his nerf guns, dug out some old army guys and set up a battalion for the cats to knock over, he has cooked dinner twice and baked a banana cake, he vacuumed and cleaned a few toilets. These are things that wouldn’t have happened a few weeks ago. I’m going to try and be thankful for the little things. We’ve been forced to slow down, which is exactly what we needed.

For now, we will look fir the silver lining… we are healthy, settled in comfortably at home and currently wanting for nothing. Many are much worse off than we are. I have nothing to complain about. Except when Jack and his friends hold impromptu remote kazoo concerts. (Don’t ask)

I hope you are all safe as well and getting through this tough time as best you can. Keep looking for the silver lining, which is time with your families that you most likely would not have gotten under normal circumstances.

Peace and love from our house to yours!

(Gotta run, Moca is playing with a piece of cat poop again for the 2nd time today!!!!)

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6 thoughts on “3.19.20”

as a teacher, i think i can speak for most schools and say that teachers know that children also need some relief during this stressful time of uncertainty. it’s more a matter of knowing that kids are continuing to move ahead and stay connected most of all. the method and amount of work will find it’s balance and will come with time. children are also trying to adapt to the new normal.

Thanks so much for your insight especially as a teacher. Are you in a state that has closed? We are just at that point in CT… probably by next week. I’m trying hard not to be too hard on Jack because as you said, our kids are really trying to adjust to this as best they can. Thanks for following along with us!